Fountain pen construction



FiledApi'il 10, 1952 V & r

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nil |l| IIIIIIII I IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 24, 1959 N; ZEP'ELO VIT CH FOUNTAIN PEN CONSTRUCTION Filed April' 10. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WM 9? MW United States Patent ice Pai tented Feb. 24, 1959 2,874,679 FOUNTAINPEN-CGNS'I'RUCTION' NathanZepelovitch, NevvYork, N. Y., assignoi' to Nahum-A; Bernstein',:New York; Nx Y. Ap lication-A ril: to; 1952, Serial,No. 2S1 ,531 9131311118. (Cl. 129- 4216) This invention relates to writing instruments and articularl-y' to an improved fluid ink writihg instrument of the fountain pen'type.

Every; fluidink writinginstrument of the fountain pen type is primarily constituted offour basic elements which inclutl'e" 'a writingtip assembly"incorporating a writing point or nib, a cap" tocover and protect the writingtip when the writing instrument isflnot beingused", a self-containedfiuidink'reservoir and'filling mechanisrn associated therewith',- and a structure or-"chan'nel network interconnecting the reservoir" with the Writ-j irig point to control and direct the how of writing flu d from the ink reservoirto the nib.

In conventional fiuid ink fountfa'iii pen constructions the practical maiiimu'rn capacity of the fl'uid in'k reservoir is: objectionably' restricted due'to the necessary inclusionof: comparatively delicate, and hence readily damaged; filling devices that occupy: a substantial, if not the greater portion; of the space available foi-"finid ink storage.- This lack of available ink capacity is reflected in the detrimental necessity of frequent refillingoperations, at best an unpleasa'nt task with the always-attendant hazard ofi soilag'e of ones hands or clothes,-and which has not been aided by the recent trend to' the streamlined designs which eifectivel'y shroud the Writing nib and always necessitate a cleaning of the instrument" followi'rig tl'ie filling operatio'ri to remove the eiice'ss inkre mainingthe'reon; v 1 t In addition to the objectionable limitations of-i'nk capacity in conventional fluid ink fountain pens, theirextrem'e susceptibility tochange's in temperature andpressure with attendant' 'fluid ink leakage are well known; The exposing ofthe pen to the lowered pressures of high altitudes or to increas'ed temperatures oftentimes resulting from mere body. heat usually results inleakage of considerable quantities of fluid ink therefrom, with the attendant damaging soila'ge of clothing and handsand the-consequentnecessary'cleaning or the pen and cap preparatory t o'reuse'"ofthe writing instrument-I -Apart from the diflicultie's associated with the conventionally constructed fluid ink reservoirs,-the conventi'onal fountain pen construction utilizing aremovable cap; separateand distinct from th'e remainder of the pen, but yet" an" important and necessary part thereof, is subject to serious disadvantages. First and' foremost-Q of course, the lossof the cap rendersthe writing" iristru ment relatively useless for it thus immediately l'os'es' thepractical quality of ready portability in the' pocket of a garment or in a carrying case suchas a handbag. The necessary separability of the cap, which b'e readily and easily removable for writing purposes, maintains the inherent defineiency of possible undesi'red separation while the pen is being carried;- with the resultant s'o'ilage of clothing.

Another serious deficiency of conventional fluid ink fountain-[peri construction isthe frequent clogging of the: writing tip and ink passages associated therewith fe's'u-ltiiig from the undesired drying of the fluid ink therein intermediate" periods of use; This undesirable clogging etfectively modifies the ink flow cha'rac'ter istic's and if" excessive may resultiri a complete" failure of the writing instrument through cessation of finia ink flow entirely. v

This invention may be briefly described as a novel and improved fluid ink writing instrument ofthe foun tain" pen type having an improved writing tip construction for the production of calligraphic writing including a novel and inexpensive nib construction, an improved, readily replaceable ink reservoir construction of greatly increased fluid ink capacity" obtained through the dis pensing'of the entireconventional filling mechanism; an improved construction for the'str'uctur'e interconnecting the" ink reservoir and the writing tip that provides 1 a novel and carefully regulated control ofi fluid ink How in avoidance of detrimental clogging and in prevention of detrimental: leakage under-- any conditions of operation and an improved integral cap construction that serves to shroucl 'a'nd protect thewr-itingt'ip'as Well as continually clean said element in avoidance of detrimental clogging effects:

Among the advantages obtained by the herinaftcr described fluid ink fountain pen construction is an attrac ti-ve, durable and easily constructed; inexpensive, leakproof writing instrument of greatly increased-ink capacity for the calligraphic presentation of permanent" record Written: material in clear and legible form. Other advantages of my pen const'ruction are' the completeavoidance of conventional refilling operations through: utiliza: tion of readily replaceable" inkreservoirs, the avoidance of clogging resulting from the drying of unused fluid inkunder diverse conditionsof operation andabtisc the regulation of ink flow solely in accordance with the writing demandsof the user, the inclusionof an integral cap construction to shroud and protect the writing tip from damage and contamination when not in use and to effectively clean the'writing. tip immediately preparatory to the commencement of writing operations, and the provision of a writing instrument having the center of gravity thereof disposed adjacent the Writing tip fol-f improved balance and greater ease of writing: 1

The primary object of this inventionis' the provision of an improved fluidink writing instrumentof the fountain pentype.

Another object of this invention is the provision-- of an improved writing tip construction for fluid inkwrit; ing instruments of the fountain pen type.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved integral cap construction for fluid ink writing instruments of the fountain pen type.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved replaceable leak-proof ink reservoir construction for fluid ink writing: instruments of the fountainpe'n type. I

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved construction for the structures interconnecting the fluid ink reservoir and the writing tip for fluid ink writing instruments of the fountain pen type.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be; pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which describe byway of example the principles and methods of opera tion of the invention and'thepresently preferred embodiment of the fluid ink Writing instrument incorporatingthose principles; 1

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view'of the presently preferred embodiment of the Writing iristrument with thecap in retracted or Writing position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the presently preferred embodiment of the" writinginstiutfient with the 3 cap advanced, as in the carrying position, to protect and shroud the writing nib;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of a portion of the Writing instrumentwith the cap positioned as illustratedinFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of a portion of the writing instrument with the cap positioned as illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the ink reservoir component of the writing instrument;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the writing tip body portion;

Fig. 6a is a section on the line 6a6a of Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a bushing member adapted to be contained within the writing tip body portion;

, Fig. 7a is a section on the line 7a7a of Fig. 7;

Fig.v 7b is a section on the line 7b--7b of Fig. 7;

5 annular valve supporting shoulder 36.

Fig. 8 is an oblique view of the carrying clip assembly;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the cap member; Fig. 9a is a sectionon the line 9a-9a of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the capillary ink feed chamber;

Figs. 11 and 12 are side views, partially in section, and rotated 90 from the sections illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4,

showing the relative positioning of the components during operations illustrative of fluid ink transfer from the reservoir to the writing tip; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an alternative ink reservoir valve assembly construction.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided, in the presently preferred embodiment of the-invention, a writing instrument formed of a writing tip, generally designated 10, incorporating a writing point or nib 12, retractable cap 14 and the writing tip body portion 16, threadedly joined to a barrel portion 18 forming, in the illustrated embodiment, an ink reservoir of greatly increased capacity. As illustrated, the above identified elements are smoothly contoured and when joined together form a writing instrument of smooth unbroken contour and of pleasing streamlined appearance. The retractable cap member 14 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the Writing point or nib 12 and writing tip body portion 16 and is illustrated in the retracted or writing position, exposing the Writing point 12, in Fig. 1 and in the advanced or carrying position, shrouding andprotecting the writing point 12, in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Figs. 3 through 10 for the specific constructional details of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the barrel portion 18 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5) is preferably formed of any suitable plastic having the requisite mechanical and chemical properties such as those conventionally utilized in present day fountain pen manufacture and is' preferably an integral substantially cylin-' drical elongated unit having a rounded closed end 20 and a circular open end 22 spaced therefrom. The barrel portion 18 is permitted to serve as the fluid ink reservoir for the pen and the absence of any filling mechanism disposed therein or associated therewith results in a fluid ink reservoir of greatly increased capacity as compared with those of conventional fountain pen constructions wherein a substantial, if not the greater portion of the space available for fluid ink storage is occupied by filling devices of varying structural configurations.

Disposed within and closing the open end 22 of the ink reservoir barrel portion 18 is an ink reservoir valve assembly unit generally designated 24. The ink reservoir valve assembly unit 24 is formed of a cylindrically shaped barrel portion 26 sized to fit in liquid-tight relationship within the open end 22 of the barrel portion 18 of the pen and is further provided with an annular spring retaining shoulder 28 internally disposed adjacent the upper extremity thereof. The lower extremity of the valve assembly unit 24 terminates in a dependent cylindrical connecting element 30 externally threaded as at 32. Disposed intermediate the dependent cylindrical connecting element 30 and the upper barrel portion 26 is an externally disposed clip receiving annular recess 34 and an internally disposed valve supporting shoulder 36. Positioned within the valve assembly unit 24 and disposed intermediate the spring retaining shoulder 28 and the valve supporting shoulder 36 is a valve assembly including a resilient annular sealing gasket 38 secured to a boss 40, dependent from a cup-shaped cylindrical slide 42 suitably apertured as at 43 slidably contained within the barrel portion 26, by a T-shaped fastening element 44 having a dependent substantially conically shaped head 46 disposed within the centrally disposed opening 48 in the The sealing gasket 38 is maintained in compressive sealing engagement against the valve supporting shoulder 36 by the action of a spring member 50 compressively disposed intermediate the spring retaining shoulders 28 and the apertured cylindrical slide 42.

The ink reservoir valve assembly unit 24 as described above serves to hermetically seal off the ink reservoir disposed within the barrel portion 18 of the writing instrument and prevents any leakage of fluid ink therefrom resulting from relative pressure and temperature variationsor from shaking, dropping or other conditions that result in ready leakage of fluid ink from conventionally constructed writing instruments. The described construction, through the effective maintenance of a hermetically sealed ink reservoir additionally prevents detrimental drying of the fluid ink within the reservoir and thus permits ready storage of filled ink reservoirs for extended periods of time without deterioration. It will be apparent that the ink reservoir within barrel portion 18 and the valve assembly unit 24 form an entirely self-contained and effectively sealed distinct unit and that removal of fluid ink from the reservoir is permitted solely by a longitudinal displacement of the sealing gasket 38 into the reservoir through the application of a longitudinally directed force upon the T-shaped fastening element 44 of sufficient magnitude to overcome the compressive sealing force exerted by the spring member 50. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the valve assembly unit 24 disposedin the open end of the barrel portion 18, a replaceable cartridge, the open end of which is sealed by a similar valve assembly unit, sized to be contained within the barrel portion 18 could also be utilized and would also result in an ink reservoir construction of greatly increased capacity.

Threadedly secured, as at 52, to the dependent threaded portion 32 of the cylindrical connecting element 30 of the ink'reservoir valve assembly unit 24, is the writing tip body portion 16 which serves as an external housing for the hereinafter described components disposed therein. The writing tip body portion 16 (see Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 6a) is a substantially cylindrical slightly tapering bushing element provided with a horizontallly disposed shoulder 54 positioned beneath the threaded portion 52 that serves to support a rigid wafer-like supporting disc 56 having an enlarged centrally disposed opening 58 therein and a plurality of smaller openings 60 spaced therefrom and disposed adjacent the edge thereof. The shoulder 54 and the supporting disc 56 are sized and positioned so that when the writing tip body portion 16 is threadedly engaged with the cylindrical connecting element 30, the disc 56 is compressively engaged thereby and is rigidly positioned within the body portion 16 to serve as a mount for additional elements disposed within said writing tip body portion.

The shoulder 54 defines a cylindrical bore 62 that terminates in a second shoulder 64 defining another and dependent cylindrical bore 66 of lesser internal diameter. Disposed externally on the surface of the writing tip body portion 16 is an elongated clip receiving channel 68 terminating at each end in the recesses or apertures 70, 72, the aperture 72 being aligned with the clip receiving recess 34 in the cylindricalconnecting element 30 when said starter writing tip body portion 16 is threadedly engaged therewith.

Slidably disposed within the writing tip body portion 16 beneath the disc 56 and sized to fit within the cylindrical bores 62 and 66 thereof is an annular bushing element 74 (see Figs. 3, 4, 7, 7a, 7b) having a central cylindrical bore 75.The bushing element 7.4 upwardly terminates in an extending flange portion 76 sized to fit the bore 62 and having a'plurality of channels 78 disposed on the periphery thereof. Immediately below the flange portion 76, the bushing element 74 is provided with an elongated body portion 80 sized to fit the bore 66 and having a plurality of clip locking element receiving channels '82 disposed longitudinally thereon which also serve as air passage channels. The body portion 80 terminates in a dependent connecting element 84 externally threaded as at 86 and having an axially disposed opening 88 therein forrned'by the shoulder 90 terminating the bore 75.

Threadedly engaging the dependent threaded portion 86 of the bushing element 74 is a-substantially conically shaped protective cap member 92 (see Figs. 3, 4, 9 and 911) having an aperture 94 disposed at the apex thereof and positioned in alignment with the opening 88 in said bushing element 74. Spaced from the opening 94 and positioned by a shoulder 96 is a disc 98 of resilient deformable elastic material having a small slit-like opening 100 disposed in alignment. with the openings 94 and 88 in said cap member 92. and bushing element 74 respec-' tively. The elastic disc 98 rests upon the shoulder 96 and is peripherally secured .in position thereon by an annular washer element 102 cornpressively disposed between the surface of said disc 98 and the shoulder 90 of the bushing element 74. Positioned within the bore '75 of the bushing element 7.4and1 suspended from the disc 56 by the flange .104 is a cylindrical elongated capillary container 166 having a central bore: 107 (seeFigs. 3, 4 and- 10 The capillary container 106, is d'ependent'Iy'termina-ted by the shoulder 108 which defines the depenedent cylindrical writing t-ip shaft 110 extending through the aligned openings l'fltl; 94 and. 88 in the disc- 98, cap member 92 and bushing elementj74respectively and defining. a central bore 111, The writing, tip shaft .110 terminates in a split nib writing point 1120f diminutive 'size, as compared with conven-. tional wri ting instrument nibs, -for the production of calligraphic writing. I .C'ontained within the bore 107 of thecapillarycontainer 106 is a capillary ink feed member 11 4 having disposed on the body portion 116 thereof a plurality of horizontally disposed recesses 118 and a plurality of longitudinally disposed recesses 120. Thecapillary 'feed member 114 is supported on the shoulder 90- ofthebushing' element74 and is provided with a dependent capillary rod 122 contained within the writingrtip shaft- 110 and taperedly-terminating, above the splitnib .writingpoint llz. The upper end of the capillary feed member 114 taperedly terminates in an elongated valve rod- 1 23- of appreciably smaller diameter tha n that of the bodyportion 116, and of a length sufficient to engage the conioally shaped head- 46 of the T-shaped fastening element 44" of the ink reservoir valve assembly unit- 24-. De-.

pendent from and, secured tolthe underside of the valve] supporting shoulder36uis a resilient deformable gobletshaped diaphragm. member 140 encircling the opening 48 therein and the valve ms 123. The diaphragm memher 140 is apertured as at 148 and is-preferably of tapered configuration as at142 so as to bring the sides-thereof into proximity with the tapered surfaceof said valve rod'123adjacent' the. junction; thereofi with the body por tion 116. The lower portion 144 of the diaphragm member. 140 is flaredgand sizedto be contained by the annular vertical flange 1 46 defining the periphery.- of the flange 104. l e r There is also provided a clip member 124 see-.Figs;

3, 4 and. 8') for earryi'ng' purposes. The clip member;

. ing the writing instrument.

124 includes an annularmounting ring 126 positioned intermediate the cap member 92, and the dependent shoulder 83 of the bushing element 74. Connected to and extending from the annular mounting ring 126 is the clip arm 128 sized to be contained within the clip channel 68 in the surface of the writing tip body portion 16 and terminating in a retaining bead 130 sized to be contained within the clip receiving recesses 34 and 72 in the cylindrical connecting element 30 and the writing tip body portion 16 respectively. v

Attached to the clip arm 128 adjacent the annular mounting ring 126, and slidably disposed within one of the channels 82 inthe bushing element 74 internally of the writing tip body portion 16 is an elongated clip assembly spring locking member 132 terminating in a latching tooth 134.

As described above, in the assembled writing instrument, the annular clip mounting ring 126 of the clip assembly 124 is secured intermediate the cap member 932 and the dependent shoulder 83 of the bushing elemerit 74 and thus forms together with the cap member 92 and bushing element 74 a cap assembly that is longitudinally displaceable relative to the writing tip body portion 16 and the remainder of the elements constitut- The length of the longitudinal displacement islimited by the shoulder 64. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the cap member 92, the bushing element 74 and the clip assembly 124 are positioned in the retracted or writing position with the split nib writing point.112 exposed and extending from the aperture 94 in the cap member 92. In this position the Writing tip shaft 110 extends through the opening in the elastic disc 98. -In the retracted position the clip assembly spring locking member 132 is disposed within the writing tip body portion 16. and in one of the clip locking member receiving channels 82 in the bushing element 74.- The clip arm 128 and retaining bead 130 are disposed within the recessed clip channel 68 and recess 72 in the writing tip body portion 16 and thus provide a smooth and continuous external configuration that does not interfere with the conventional grasping of the pen for writing operations. It is preferred to locate the clip arm 128 in alignment with the split nib writing point 112 so as to provide a convenient usual indication of the desired positioning of the pen for writing operations.

In order to shroud the split nib Writing point 112 subsequent to Writing operations, the retaining bead 130 is removed from the recess 72 and the clip assembly to getli'er with the cap member 92 and bushing element 74 are manually displaced longitudinally of the writing tip body portion 16. The longitudinal displacement is, as

explained above, limited by the shoulder 64 interiorl-y Inthe advanced or carrying position, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4,' the split nib writingpoint 112 has been. effectively withdrawn from engagement with the elastic disc 98 and the relative movement therebetween during displacement results in an effective cleaning of the point 112. The elastic qualities of saiddisc 98 result in a hermetic closure of the opening 100 therein which, togetherwith the engagement of the shoulder 64 by the flange portion 76 and the consequent sealing of the peripherally disposed channels 78 therein, effectively seals the interior of the pen and prevents drying and resultant clogging of any fluid ink remaining in the writing tip shaft and capillary container 106. With the parts positioned as illustrated inFig. 4, the retaining bead is positioned in thelchannel 68 and clip 128,

3 7 s is exposed and available forcarrying purposes. It should be noted that the instrument is carried point up to prevent the accumulation of dirt orlike material within the cap member 92, and it should be further noted that the clip assembly 124 is only utilizable for carrying purposes when the Writing point 112 is completely shrouded. The engagement of the edge of the recess 70 by the latching tooth 134 maintains the cap member 92 in shrouding position and prevents any undesired return thereof to the retracted or writing position.

The cap member 92, bushing element 74 and clip assembly 124 are readily returned to the retracted or writing position exposing the split nib Writing point 112 by manually depressing the portion of the clip arm 128 disposed adjacent the locking member 132 so as to disengage the latching tooth 134 from the edge of the recess 70 and then manually displacing the elements to the retracted writing position. The relative displacement 'of the parts during retraction again results in a cleaning of the writing point 112 in its passage through the opening 100 of the elastic disc 98.

The retraction of the above described elements also results in disengagement of the shoulder 64 by the flange portion 76 of the bushing element 74 and the consequent introduction of air by means of the channels 82 which effectively permits air to enter the interior of the pen through the channels .78 peripherally disposed in the flanged end 76 of the bushing element 74, the apertures 60 in the disc 56 and particularly to fill the space 150 defined by the goblet-like diaphragm member 140, air entry being permitted by the apertures 148 therein.

As explained above, the ink reservoir valve assembly unit 24 maintains the ink reservoir Within the barrel portion 18 of the writing instrument normally closed and im-. pervious to leakage due to changes in pressure, temperature or any other abuses that normally result in leakage in any conventionally constructed writing instruments.

After retraction of the cap member 92 and the elements associated therewith has exposed the split nib writing point 112 preparatory to Writing operations, the parts of the instrument are positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the sealing gasket 38 maintains the ink reservoir hermetically sealed. In order to provide a supply of fluid ink for writing purposes, it is necessary to raise the sealing gasket 38 interiorly of the barrel portion 18 and 011 the valve supporting shoulders 36.

-Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, a predetermined quantity of the fluid ink contained within the ink reservoir in the barrel portion 18 is readily removed by pressing on the split nib 112 in an axial direction with a force slightly greater than that occasioned by normal writing operations. A suificient pressure on the writing point 112 results in an overcoming of the compression of the spring member 50 and in a displacement of the writing tip shaft 110 and capillary container 106 relative to the writing tip body portion 16 and bushing element 74 disposed therein. The upward relative displacement of the capillary container 106 also results in an equivalent upward displacement of the capillary feed member 114 disposed therein and an accompanying upward displacement of the sealing gasket 38 due to the action of the valve rod 123 upwardly displacing the T-shaped coupling element 44. The initial upward displacement of the capillary container 106 also results in the closure of the apertures 148 in the gobletshaped diaphragm member 140. After closure of the apertures 148 further upward displacement of the capillary container 106 results in a deformation of the diaphragm member 140 into engagement with the upper portion 123 of the capillary member 114 as at 152, in Fig. 11. This effectively seals oil the lower portions of the capillary member 114 and provides a closed container-like recess 150 for the reception of a predetermined amount of ink from the ink reservoir. The upward displacement of the capillary member 114 also results in an opening 8 permits the air disposed within the deformed diaphragm to beforced into the ink reservoir as shown in Fig. 12 and to effect a slight pressure build-up therein. A subsequent lessening of the pressure then results in a downward displacement of the capillary container 106 and a filling of the reformedv space with a predetermined quantity of fluid ink. The volume of the space 150 thus determines the amount of ink permitted to be removed from the ink reservoir at any given time.

After the filling of the space 150 by fluid ink, a further decrease in pressure on the writing nib permits the gasket member 38 to be reseated on the valve supporting shoulder- 36 under the action of the spring 50 disposed in the ink reservoir valve assembly unit and permits a reopening .of the apertures 148 and the disengagement of the flared portion 144 of the diaphragm member 140 from the capillary member 114 as shown at 152 in Fig. 11. As soon as the diaphragm member 140 is disengaged from the surface of the capillary member 114, the ink disposed within the space 1S0'is permitted to flow under the influence of gravity and the capillary effect of the adjacent surfaces of the valve arm 123 and diaphragm member 140 down over the capillary member 114. The downwardly flowing ink is then suspended in the horizontal and longitudinal recesses 118 and 120 therein. The capillary action afforded by the capillary member 114 and the capillary container 106 regulates the flow of ink to the writing tip for writing purposes. Air to replace the fluid ink utilized for writing purposes is readily introduced intosaid capillary container 106 through the channels 82 and 78in the bushing member 76, the apertures 60 in the disc 56, and through the apertures 148 in the diaphragm member 140. The ink present Within the capillary container 106 is thus available for writing purposes andmay be utilized for such purposes until it is entirely used up, at which time all that is required to replenish the supply of fluid ink is to repeat the above described operation by again pressing down on the writing point 112.

It should be noted that the above described construction only permits the utilization of a predetermined small quantity of ink at any given time and eifectively prevents any flooding resulting from an excessive flow of ink to the writing point such as that often encountered in conventional writing instruments. Moreover it will be apparent that the only method by which ink may be removed from the ink reservoir is by displacement of the writing tip 112 relative to the writing tip body portion 16 which thus aids in the prevention of any ink leakage from the ink reservoir during non-writing operations.

Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative construction for an ink reservoir valve assembly unit, adapted to close the open end of the barrel portion 18 of the writing instrument or a replaceable cartridge member sized to fit within said barrel member. The embodiment of the ink reservoir valve assembly unit is formed of a cylindrieally shaped barrel portion having a dependent cylindrical connecting element 162 externally threaded as at 164 secured thereto. Disposed intermediate the dependent cylindrical connecting element 162 and the upper barrel portion 160 is an externally disposed clip receiving annular recess 166 and an internally disposed valve supporting shoulder 168 having a centrally locatedopening 170 therein. Positioned Within the valve assembly unit and closing the opening 170 is a resilient sealing gasket 172 secured to a dependent rod member 174 axially disposed within said dependent cylindrical connecting element 162. The lower extremity of dependent rod 174 terminates in a flange member 176 having a plurality of suitable apertures 178 disposed therein adjacent said rod member 174. Positioned intermediate the valve supporting shoulder 168 and a stop 180 on said rod member 174 is a spring 182 adapted to maintain said gasket member 172 disposed in hermetic sealing relationship with the shoulders 168. Dependent from and secured to the under- 9 Side of therein -sapnernsl euldas his is. resilient deformable oblet s laped dia phgagrn ineniber 184 apertured as at 85, encircling the opening-170 therein and the rod member 1.7.4.. The. diaphragm member 18.4 is pref rably tapered as .at 186 so as to. bring the sides t r of into proximity with the surface of the rod 174' disposed adjacent. thereto. Theloyver portion 188 of the diap gm rmember 18.4. is flared and .sized to. .be contained'bythe flangemember ,1-76. This embodiment does .mweq ir he utilization of an extending v v rod 123 as u il z d n he other described embodiment and is a ap ed to b actuated by the upper portion of the capillaryfeed member as shown in dotted lines on the drawin e operat on .of. thisemhqdiment of the ink re ervoir a v assembly uni is similar ethat describe above in-s niunetion with theernh duneut il ustrated in 'E g 1 th ou h l1. and .12 in thatan upwa plac m n of gasket member in by. actipn of aoapillary feed member against the underside of the rod 174 results in deformation of .the diaphragm .member 184 and the resultant measured displacement of a' predetermined quantity of fluid ink .from the ink reservoir.

In accordancewith the provisions ofthe patent'statutes, I have herein described thelprincipl e of operation of this invention, .togetherwith the elements which I now consider toico'nstitutea workable embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the structure disclosed is only illustrative and the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and modified without interfering with the more general results outlined.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a writing instrument, an ink reservoir having an ink removal aperture disposed in one end thereof, a displaceable valve member biased in sealing relationship with the ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, a writing point fluidly communicable with said ink reservoir and displaceable relative thereto, displaceable valve actuating means responsive to displacement of said writing point for displacing said valve member out of sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, bell shaped deformable means disposed adjacent the under side of said ink reservoir and in encircling relationship around said ink removal aperture therein and around the valve actuating end of said displaceable valve actuating means, said bell shaped deformable means being provided with an ink flow aperture of reduced diameter therein closably engageable by said valve actuating means upon valve opening displacement thereof for forming a closed chamber immediately beneath said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir to receive and limit the amount of ink removable from said reservoir upon displacement of said valve member from sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture.

2. In a writing instrument, an elongate fluid ink reservoir having an ink removal aperture disposed in one end thereof, a displaceable valve member biased in sealing relationship with the ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, a writing tip disposed adjacent said ink reservoir, an elongate tube member disposed within said writing tip and displaceable relative thereto and to said ink reservoir, said elongate tube member terminating at the dependent end thereof in a writing tip shaft of reduced diameter and of a length to extend beyond the end of said writing tip and terminating at the other end thereof in an ink receiving aperture normally biased remote from said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, a writing point disposed on the dependent end of said writing tip shaft, a valve actuating member disposed within said elongate tube member and having an extending end thereof disposed adjacent to said valve member and being displaceable in conjunction with said elongate tube member in r asses to displacemen of sa wri ing Point rel tive t id --wrifiu pv for di p cin s l m b out of sealing-engagement with said ink removal aperture iutsaid reservoir, and means disposed around the exteudingend ofsaid valve actuating member intermediate Said removal aperture. in said ink reservoir and said ink receivin aperture in said elongate tube member dean ink flow passage therebetween, said last mentioned means being engageable with said valve actuating member upon valve opening displacement thereof and conjoint displacement of said elongate tube member for closing said ink flow passage and forming a closed chamber beneath said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir-to-receive ink and limitthe amount of ink removable from said reservoir upon displacement of said valve memher from sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture.

3. In a writing instrument, an elongate fluid ink reservoir having an ink removal aperture disposed-in onev end thereof, a displaceable valve member biased in sea-ling relationship-with the ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, a writing tip disposed adjacent said ink reservoir, an elongate tube member disposed within said writing tip. and displaceablerelative thereto and to. said ink reservoir, said elongate tuhe member terminating at the dependent end thereof in a Writing tip shaft of reduced diameter and of a length to extend beyond the end of said writing tip and terminating at the other end thereof in an ink receiving aperture normally biased remote from said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir, a writing point disposed on the dependent end of said writing tip shaft, a valve actuating member disposed within said elongate tube member and having an extending end thereof disposed adjacent to said valve member and being displaceable in conjunction with said elongate tube member in response to displacement of said Writing point relative to said writing tip for displacing said valve member out of sealing engagement with said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir when said ink receiving aperture in said elongate tube member is displaced into proximity thereto, and deformable means disposed around the extending end of said valve actuating member intermediate said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir and said ink receiving aperture in said elongate tube member defining an ink flow passage therebetween, said last mentioned means being deformably engageable with the extending end of said valve actuating member upon conjoint displacement of said valve actuating member and elongate tube member to close said ink flow passage and form a closed chamber beneath said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir to receive and limit the amount of ink removable from said reservoir upon displacement of said valve member from sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said deformable means is a sleeve of deformable material having a restricted diameter at one portion of the ink flow passage therein.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said deformable means is a goblet shaped diaphragm member.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said valve actuating member is provided with a plurality of recesses on the surface thereof to regulate, in cooperation with said enclosing elongate tube member, the flow of fluid ink through said tube member to said writing point.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said valve member is biased by a spring of suificient strength to prevent displacement of said writing point relative to said writing tip by ordinary writing pressure.

8. A quantity control metering valve construction for fluid ink writing instruments having an ink reservoir with an ink removal aperture disposed at the dependent end thereof and a writing point fluidly communicable 11 therewith and displaceable relative thereto comprising a valve member normally biased in sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture in said ink reservoir for controlling the removal of ink from said reservoir, means displaceable in conjunction with displacement of said writing point relative to said ink reservoir for actuating said valve member and sleeve means disposed adjacent the under side of said ink reservoir and in encircling relation around said ink removal aperture therein and around the valve actuating end of said displaceable valve actuating means for receiving fluid ink removed from said ink reservoir upon displacement of said valve member from sealing relationship with said ink removal aperture and for directing the same to said writing point, said sleeve means being provided with an ink flow aperture theren sized to be closably engageable by said valve actuating means upon valve opening displacement thereof to form a closed fluid ink receiving chamber having a volume determinative of the quantity of ink removable from said reservoir upon each displacement of the valve member out of sealing relationship with the ink remova aperture therein.

9. The quantity control metering valve construction as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sleeve means is formed of resilient deformable material.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nimmo Sept. 4, 1883 Dickie Sept. 16, 1902 Baker Oct. 21, 1919 Walker Jan. 5, 1932 Hirschy June 30, 1936 Barlow et al. Jan. 18, 1938 Andrews Dec. 8, 1942 Moore Feb. 18, 1947 Andrews Nov. 18, 1947 Wallis July 5, 1949 Wing May 30, 1950 Snodgrass July 11, 1950 Zepelovitch Jan. 3, 1951 McKay July 15, 1952 Johnson Feb. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria -2.-.- May 1,- 1900 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1902 Great Britain -1. of 1902 Germany Oct. 7, 1911 Great Britain of 1915 Holland July 15, 1946 Belgium May 31, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,874,679 February 24, 1959 Nathan Zepelovitch It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 44, for "usual" read visual column 11, line 15, for "theren" read there-in Signed and sealed this 30th day of June 1959.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT c. WATSON Commissioner of Patents KARL H. AXLINE Attesting Oflicer 

